India’s good morning session has become a distant memory after Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen put their bowlers to the sword put England on top at the close on 457 for 3.
The number three and four batsmen both past their centuries at a sunbaked Kia Oval as the wicket flattened out to resemble a classic flat track that was assisted by the traditionally quick Kennington outfield.
Bell was the first to record three figures which he notched up off 181 ballswhich took his tally of Test hundreds this summer to an impressive four.
Pietersen followed his partner with a boundary on the first ball after tea though he could have been out on the very next delivery when Virender Sehwag dropped a difficult chance as the maverick batsman got a little carried away. However, such was the ease by which he passed 150 that unfurled his trademark switch hit to good effect.
The partnership reached 350 – record for England against India – before Pietersen was snared caught and bowled by Suresh Raina for magnificent 175 off 232 balls.
Bell and James Anderson – in as a nightwatchamn – saw England through to the close of play.
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